Duration : 12 Nights / 13 Days
Places visited : Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur -
Udaipur - kota - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi
Day 01 : Delhi
Meeting
and assistance and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi - Mandawa (242 kms. 6 hrs. approx.)
Morning drive to Mandawa, heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan known
for its frescoed havelis. Driving in a south-westerly direction form Delhi
one immediately leaves behind the urban environs of the capital of India and
gets the glimpses of the country side. Stopping midway at Peer Mal Ki
Haveli. On arrival in Mandawa check into your hotel. In the afternoon visit
the Havelis notable among them being the Chokani, Ladia and the Saraf
Havelis. Overnight at hotel. (Dinner included)
Day 03 : Mandawa - Bikaner (164 kms. 4 hrs. approx.)
After an early breakfast start the drive at 0700 hours to Bikaner, which is
in true desert country, and part of the ancient caravan route that came from
west and central Asia. After traversing this part of the Thar desert
stopping at Ratangarh for lunch, one arrives at the fortified city of
Bikaner. Check into the hotel. In the afternoon a city tour of Junagarh Fort
and the City Palace. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
included)
Day 04 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer(353 kms. 8 hrs. 30 min. approx.)
Depart at 0700 hours after an early breakfast for Jaisalmer the 12th
century inhabited fort city. This fort city built by Rawal Jaisal has
exquisite stone work in typical yellow sandstone. This drive also gives you
a glimpse of typical desertic lifestyle with little thatched hutments,
camels and sand dunes strewn from horizon to horizon. Upon arrival check
into your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure or take an evening walk towards
the chattris and watch the sun set on the golden fort. Overnight at hotel.
(Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 05 : Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is well known for weaving, embroidery, silver jewelry and its
colorful bazaars. The fort has some of the most intricately carved havelis
such as the Patwon ki Haveli, Nathmalji ki Haveli and Salim Singh ki Haveli
and beautiful Jain temples. In the afternoon take a drive to the sand dunes
of Sam and watch the spectacular sun set. One has the option to take a short
camel ride. Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast
and Dinner included)
Day 06 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (300 kms. 8 hrs. approx.)
This
morning after breakfast leave Jaisalmer at 0700 hours, stopping midway at
Pokhran you arrive at Jodhpur -the blue hued city of the Rathore Rajputs,
overlooked by the imposing Mehrangarh fort. Jodhpur the former capital of
the Mewar State was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha. In the late afternoon
visit the Mehrangarh fort its ramparts. Return to the hotel for an early
dinner. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 07 : Jodhpur - Udaipur (260 kms. 7 hrs. approx.)
An early start from Jodhpur takes you to Udaipur the enchanting city of
dawn and the lake side capital of Mewar. Enroute visit Ranakpur Jain temples
which are well preserved and in near perfect condition. The most distinctive
feature of the shrine dedicated to Adinath are the 29 halls of the temple
which contain 1444 pillars of which no two are exactly alike. After lunch at
Maharani Orchard, continue drive to Udaipur. Check into the hotel. Overnight
at hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 08 : Udaipur
The highlights of an excursion to Udaipur city involves a visit to the City
Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari - Garden of the maids of honour, Jagdish Temple
and museum of folkart. In the evening one has the option to take a boat ride
on the Lake Pichola. Return to the hotel for dinner. (Breakfast and Dinner
included)
Day 09 : Udaipur - Kota (285 kms. 8 hrs. approx.)
Leave Udaipur for Kota via Chittorgarh the most romantic name in Rajasthan,
where the famous Rajput beauty Rani Padmini en-amoured the Sultan of Delhi,
Alauddin Khilji, upon seeing her reflection on a mirror. Visit the
Chittorgarh Fort believed to have been built by the Mauryan rulers in the
7th century AD. Arrive at Kota - a fascinating mixture of medieval grandeur
and modern industrialization - an impressive fort stands like a sentinel
over the present day Chambal Valley Project with its many dams, while an old
palace of the Hada Rajputs overlooks the turbulent Chambal river. Overnight
at your hotel in Kota. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 10 : Kota - Jaipur (242 kms. 7 hrs. approx.)
Depart Kota via Bundi to the capital city of Jaipur. Enroute visit Bundi
Fortress of medieval times standing sentinel to the city. Bundi is famous
for its intricate paintings and murals. Arrive Jaipur check into the hotel.
Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 11 : Jaipur
Jaipur is part of the exciting Indian Trail. It is here that the seekers of
India experience their fantasy of a voyage of discovery. Jaipur is an
exuberance of color, dance and song with the traditional arts and crafts.
Known as the 'Pink City' is one of India's most well planned cities with
wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes in a grid system. In the
morning visit the impressive Amber Fort, the former capital of the Royal
Family of Jaipur, taking an elephant ride to the top of the fort. In the
afternoon visit the City Palace, the Jantar Mantar, and the Hawa Mahal. Rest
of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 12 : Jaipur - Agra (232 kms. 5 hrs. 30 mins. approx.)
Depart
Jaipur the land of the Rajputs to the Mughal splendour of Agra, enroute
visiting Fathepur Sikri the ghost city 35 kms from Agra. Fatehpur Sikri
built in red sandstone in honour of Saint Salim Chisti, who foretold the
birth of 3 sons to Emperor Akbar, is an example of robust stability combined
with originality. Each important edifice here represents a type by itself.
Notable among them is the Diwane Khas, Punch Mahal, the Tomb of Salim
Chisti, and the Buland Darwaza. Drive on to Agra and check-in to the hotel.
Later visit the incomparable Taj Mahal. This monument a fine example of
fusion of many architectural styles is one of the wonders of the modern
world. Built in 1652 by Emperor Shah Jahan. It took 22 years and 20,000
skilled artisans to complete this poem in white marble. In the afternoon
visit the Agra Fort which lies across the river Jamuna. It was here that
Aurangzeb the third son of Shah Jahan kept his father under house arrest.
One can get the most moving view of the Taj from the little octagonal tower
in the Fort. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 13 : Agra - Delhi (201 kms. 4 hrs. approx.)
Morning free. Drive to Delhi in time to connect your flight for onward
destination. (Breakfast included).
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